Rasagola panel submits interim report: Odisha Min

The expert committee constituted by the Odisha government to take on West Bengal over the origin of the syrupy sweet ‘rasagola’ for the geographical indication (GI) tag has submitted its interim report, revealed Science & Technology Minister Pradeep Panigrahi here today.

However, the committee will submit a final report within one month.

“Rasagola has been in use in Odisha since long ago. We have found evidence of its use. Rasagola use in temples and mutts in Odisha is 600 years old. The committee has sought one month’s time to submit the final report. Only after the report is out, decision on the next step will be taken,” said Panigrahi speaking to reporters her today.

The chairman of the three committees Sura Das had on Friday said that the committee will present its interim report on October 11 and it will take one month to deliver the final report.

Notably, the state government had on September 21 formed three committees to take its battle with the neighbouring state over the origin of the rasagola. The first committee, comprising seven members led by the department’s additional secretary was to submit facts on the origin of the syrupy sweet in Odisha within 15 days. The committee has already submitted its report on Sunday.

The second committee having four members will study the grounds put forth by West Bengal to stake its claim over the origin of rasagola for fetching the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

The third panel with six members has been entrusted with doing necessary documentation to place it before the Centre in Odisha’s support for staking claim for the patent and GI tag for rasagola.

West Bengal, it may be noted, woke up only after Odisha initiated the move to get GI status for the famous ‘Pahala Rasagola’, but got its act together in a jiffy and has already submitted its application.